BoZ Introduces New Features on Bank Notes

The Bank of Zambia has launched enhanced Two and Five Kwacha notes today while other new notes from ten to One Hundred kwacha will be put in circulation in due course with a view to mitigate counterfeiting of existing original banknotes by criminals.

One of the introduced security features called sparklive has been incorporated in the figure on the lower right hand side to further shield thebanknotes from being counterfeited.

Central Bank Governor, Dr. Denny Kalyalya, says the security features will exhibit three overt visual characteristics which are colour- shift properties, optical brightness and dynamic light effects.

There will also be a 5mm optically visible four window security thread with micro optical dynamic effects has replaced the hologram on the three denominations.

Dr. Kalyalya added that the “birds in flight” feature has shifted from the right edge of the back of the banknote to the left edge

He further said that “The tactile mark” for the visually impaired have now been put on both edges of the banknotes to enhance tactility or the feel effect.

The ten kwacha denomination will have among other features a new four-window security thread which will replace the hologram on the front of the banknote.

“Tactile marks for the visually impaired have been put on both edges of the banknote to enhance tactility.The K2 and K5 denominations have the following features,” he said.

“Different images (dove, text K2 and K5) appear as a new glossy varnish with a blind embossing for ease of identification. Tactile marks for the visually impaired have been put on both edges of the banknotes to enhance tactility.”

The Central Bank Governor said that the Bank will start circulating the upgraded banknotes in a phased manner, starting the with K2 and K5 denominations in August 2018.

The Bank will not withdraw the existing banknotes until the end of their circulation life meaning that the existing banknotes will co-circulate with the upgraded series and will continue to be honoured at full value.

Source: Zambia Reports